China’s handset onslaught starts

Chinese handset makers will lead an onslaught on smartphone titans Samsung and Apple when the biggest mobile fair opens today in Barcelona. Offering big screen, slick, slim smartphones at lower prices, Chinese manufacturers Huawei, ZTE and Lenovo will leverage the Mobile World Congress to chip away at the mighty monopoly, analysts say. The handset battle is part of a broader revolt against a handful of firms with a stranglehold on the booming industry’s handsets, operating systems and microchips, they say. Apple is steering clear of the February 25 to 28 congress that draws 1 500 exhibitors, and Samsung is not expected to launch its next big offer, the Galaxy S4, until some time after the show. – Sapa-AFP